I love
all the joy of the holiday season – indulging in delicious food, making memorable
moments and getting some much-needed relaxation. I especially love staying up late with my honey
and the kids and sleeping in the next day.
When we wake up, I enjoy eating brunch together as a family.
We are
truly blessed and had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. As we prepared dinner, heavenly aromas of
turkey and other delicious foods filled the air. In the background our favorite holiday songs
were playing. After that beautiful day
together, I’m so looking forward to Christmas, my absolute favorite holiday.
(My honey was busy cleaning greens for our delicious Thanksgiving meal.)
Being Joyful &
Spreading Holiday Cheer
To me,
Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season. Even though it was just a little over a week
ago, I’ve already witnessed the true meaning of being joyful and spreading
holiday cheer.
In
just about every town you can find a family that’s less fortunate. So many
times I’ve wished there was something I could do to create lasting change in
their lives. Well two extraordinary moms,
that I have the pleasure of knowing personally, have taken on that mission.
Andria
Haley, a chic mom of a “rock star” son who recently went away for college, saw
the need for help in her community.
Driven by her pure heart and love for others, Andria organized a food
drive in her neighborhood and fed twelve families on Thanksgiving.
During her food drive, Andria and her
volunteers provided information on GED, ESL, ABE, job training and placement centers
and healthcare enrollment for 2014. Andria
wants to empower her community and teach independence. Inspired by the “success” of her food drive,
Andria is developing a program that will offer workshops for resume writing,
interviewing techniques and confidence-building at a local church.
Similarly,
another amazing woman has made it her mission to spread cheer and give to those
in need. Jackie Joann Paul, a loving mom
of three wonderful sons and owner of My
Three Sons Café, is truly a giver and loves to serve. Not only does she create finger-licking, mouthwatering
meals, Jackie partners with an organization, Helping
Hands Rescue Mission Philly , to feed the elderly and shut-in. Jackie prepares weekly meals and delivers
them to elderly people who are unable to cook for themselves.
Recently
Jackie shared a touching story. She and
her son befriended a homeless man. They
check on him regularly and take him blankets, food and offer to let him warm up
in their car. On extremely cold and
windy nights, Jackie negotiates lower rates at a local motel and pays for the
homeless man to stay overnight.
How We Can All
Play a Part
Andria
and Jackie did not ask me to share their story. I was moved by their loving
spirits and felt compelled to let others know that there is something we can do
to help. We can all play a part by
giving back to those in need.
If you’re
not sure how to get involved, you can reach out to an organization of your
choice and ask how you can help with their cause. You never know how much of a blessing you can
be to someone. That is the true spirit
of this holiday season.
How I’m going to
Play My Part
I’m
inspired by Andria and Jackie. In 2014,
I’ll be volunteering at a local group home for teenage girls. I plan to give back by mentoring and empowering
these young women. My honey and I have also
agreed to organize a clothing drive for a local shelter for women and children.
What
are you willing to do in order to give back during the holidays and beyond? Please share your comments with me. If you’re a mom or know a mom who’s doing great
things in your community, I’d love to hear about it.
Until
we meet again, take care of yourself and keep moving boldly in the direction of
your dreams.
Lots
of love,
Erica 